Clemson looking hard at another Maryville standout

CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers will have four quarterbacks under scholarship this fall, so offensive coordinator Chad Morris has been telling all quarterback prospects that the Tigers will take only one quarterback in the next signing class.

Patton RobinettePatton RobinetteQuarterback6-3, 180Maryville, TNView Full Profile of Maryville (TN) put up stout numbers a year ago in the same style of offense - he completed 104-of-152 passes for 1,804 yards with 22 touchdown passes and just one interception. He also rushed 118 times for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns and could be the one quarterback that surprises everyone to be the one the Tigers wind up getting.

Robinette took in the Orange and White Game this past Saturday, and said he likes what he sees out of Morris’ offense.

“I got to watch the game, and it was impressive watching Coach Morris’ offense work,” Robinette told TigerNet Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t have to go to a school that runs the same type of offense as we do, because I think I could learn to run any type of offense. But there would be a certain comfort level for me.”

Robinette took an unofficial visit to Clemson last fall for the Clemson-N.C. State football game, but said he enjoyed his official visit even more.

“When I got there on Saturday, I got to meet all of the coaches and I talked to Coach [Dan] Brooks [his recruiter] and Coach Morris,” he said. “I talked to them and ate with all of the recruits. Then we took a trip to Vickery Hall, and got to see some of the campus. The campus is really beautiful. But I really got to enjoy meeting the coaches and getting a feel for what they do with their athletes.”

Robinette said Morris has told him the Tigers will only take one quarterback this fall, but Morris wants to watch Robinette’s spring practice before the Tigers commit to an official offer.

“I have heard that from him, and he hasn’t really said too much more about that to me,” he said. “He has told me I am on the list right now, and he wants to come and watch me throw in spring practice. If they like what they see, then I could end up with an offer.”

Robinette won a state championship with Maryville last season, and counts Clemson commits Greg Colquitt and Jay GuillermoJay GuillermoOffensive Line6-3, 285Maryville, TNView Full Profile as friends and teammates, so he says he hears about Clemson. Every day.

“Those guys are on me every day about Clemson,” he said. “They are always telling me about what a great place it is and how I need to go there. And Jay – he wears something that says Clemson almost every day to school. Jay is committed, that is for sure.”

Robinette, who stands 6-4 and weighs in at 190 pounds, said the strongest part of his game is his decision making and that he enjoys the strategic side of the game.

This comes as no surprise considering he scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.

“I would say my strength is good decision-making and taking care of the ball,” he said. “Especially with our offense because decision-making is key. Eliminating turnovers is what I do best. I do run the ball a lot, and I had close to a thousand yards rushing last year. Some schools say I am a dual threat quarterback and some say I am a pro style quarterback. I’ve heard both. I guess it just depends on which school you listen to.”

Vanderbilt, Arkansas State and Memphis have offered, while the Tigers join Northwestern, Georgia, Stanford, Illinois, Syracuse, Florida State and Virginia as schools that are showing interest.

However, he doesn’t have a true leader to this point.

“I don’t have a list of the top schools, and I’m still very open,” he said. “I have visited quite a few, and I’ve talked to a lot of places. Right now, though, I am just enjoying what Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Georgia and Stanford are saying and talking to me about. Right now, they are my top schools.”